Minister for agriculture Dr. Chumben Murry on Friday lamented that agriculture sector in the state was not up-to the mark even as the state gross domestic product (GDP) was at 24%, higher than national gross domestic product at 17%. In this regard he said agriculture in Nagaland needed to be improvised. He was speaking at the workshop on ‘linking small time entrepreneurs with government schemes’ organized by associated chamber of commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM) at National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, Medziphema.At the workshop, the need for post harvest food processing units in the state came to the fore where Dr. Chumben called for need on post harvest production processing units in the state. While calling upon entrepreneurs to venture in small scale industry to reduce import from outside the state, Dr. Chumben urged them to view agriculture as an industry. He also said value addition for farmers was needed in the state to attain self sufficiency in terms of food production. The minister said that 18 APMCs have been set up all over the 11 districts by the agriculture department for the benefit of the farmers and apart from that three cold storage were set up while another three more cold storage were in pipeline. He also called for convergence and more interface between the state government, the farmers and entrepreneurs. Dr. K.C Nihoshe, parliamentary secretary, industries and commerce said the state needs food processing units so that surplus agriculture products do not go wasted due to lack pf processing units. He said even though the state produced different types of crops, lack of food processing units’ has hampered the state farming sector. Calling upon investors to set up food processing units, he said that government would be happy to provide necessary logistic support to investors. Stating that the various funds from numerous schemes were being misused, Nihoshe called for proper utilisation of funds. He also assured the possible investors that issues such as security, irregular power supply, acquisition of land and banking facilities could be tackled with joint efforts.Keeping in line with the year of entrepreneurs for the year 2010-2011 declared by the government, Dr. Nihoshe said that a new Indian Institute of Entrepreneurs (IIE) was likely to come up in Dimapur to boost the young entrepreneurs in the state. Dr. H. K Khulu, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), addressing the entrepreneurs spelled out various ailments the state was facing such as absence of foreign investment, dependency on government jobs, dependency on centrally sponsored schemes, lack of entrepreneurship, lack of infrascture and marketing leakages. Khulu further said that though the agriculture department conducts various trainings to the farmers added there was lack of follow up from the side of the farmers in the state. He said that even though the department had tried to bridge the gap by offering loan without interest undertaken by APMC for the farmers, the return the farmers received was not at all satisfactory. Expressing concern on meat processing units in the state, he said the state needs facilities such as slaughter house, storage and proper marketing facilities. Khulu also stressed on the need of synergy amongst various departments and lack of commitment from the farmer and advocated for the need of cluster farming in the state. Dr. Chandan Rajkhowa, director NRC, Jharnapani said though the state produces varieties of crops across the state yet due to lack of transportation, storage and marketing facilities, the farmers loses ample of revenue.He also said proper procedure for the produce should be implemented if the farmers and the consumers have to profit from the crops which were produced in the state. A technical session was also conducted for the entrepreneurs chaired by Sentiyanger Imchen, commissioner & secretary, horticulture, Nagaland. Various presentations from NABARD, Central bank of India, MSME development institute, FSSAI, NERAMAC and NHB were also presented during the technical session. Earlier in the first session, Dr. O.S Tyagi, director ASSOCHAM gave the welcome address while, Dr. R. K Singh, PC KVK, NRC Jharnapani delivered the vote of thanks. More than 50 entrepreneurs and other government officials attended the workshops.